The “rubber box” or did Laura Keene indeed held Lincoln’s head?

[loetar44]

(09-14-2014 01:13 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  The alley between the theatre and the saloon was a covered alleyway. My understanding is that there was indeed a stairway leading up to the lounge that was part of the second floor. The Fords built the Star Saloon building as part of the reconstruction project after the December 62 Theatre fire. It wasn't a secret alley, it just that if you weren't employed or associated with the theatre, you wouldn't have a reason to know about the side stairway.

Thanks Jim, one more question: how reliable are the stories that surround the Gourlays? Some examples:

- Thomas Gourlay took one of the flags draped over the front of the State Box and placed it beneath Lincoln's head as a cushion. This flag was stained with blood from Lincoln's wound.
- Thomas Gourlay was one of the men who helped the doctors carry Lincoln to the Petersen House.
- Thomas Gourlay later kept the flag, but he and his children secretly kept it in a family trunk for many years; just prior to his death in 1885, he gave the flag to his daughter Jeannie.
- Ned Spangler came to the door of the Gourlays, but Thomas Gourlay did not admitting him.
- Thomas Gourlay was part-time stage manager at Ford’s.
- Four of Thomas Gourlay’s children were in Ford’s Theatre — two daughters were cast members in “Our American Cousin” (Jeannie and Maggie, true) and two sons were in the audience (Thomas and Robert, not proven).
- Thomas Gourlay’s son Robert had seen Booth with Spangler when he went to Taltavull’s Saloon during the intermission after the first act.
- Robert Gourlay was one of the first to rise in his seat and shouted “Its Booth, its Booth.”
- Booth shoved Jeannie Gourlay into a pile of scenery as he rushed past, also stabbing her fiancée Withers (and wounding him in the neck). Withers was stabbed, his coat torn open, that's true, but was Jeannie there?

And last but not least:
- Thomas Gourlay led Laura Keene to the State Box via a route only “known to the regular company”.